Run for the Fallen

August 7: TN

admin — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:43:34 +0000

Excerpt from the journal of Steve Bellona, who came out and ran with the team from Aug 3-8.

Aug. 7
“It has been a great trip. I have run about 15 miles, but today drove the U-Haul van with Triona Fritsch to document each flag and service member. It was just as rewarding as running miles. The first three days on the road were unbearably hot. We had mid-90’s each day, with humidity that you could cut with a knife. And yet, we got up each day, put on the shoes and ran the miles. We drank lots, and lots, and lots and lots of fluids. My first five miles on Monday were brutal, but on number five, I passed the State Farm Central Office and found the entire office of 100 standing on the side of the road cheering me on as I ran by. I had a light day of two miles on Tuesday and also placed flags and documented them with Triona. Wednesday, was an eight mile adventure for me, and shared the day with a gold star sister of Sgt. Shawn M. Dunkin. Tracy was with us the entire day. She ran/walked her brother’s mile to lead off the day, and then helped us in the middle with a few extra. On one of stops to wait for a runner to catch up, we had a mother and son stop, ask what we were doing, leave and then come back four miles later with water, food and gas cards. At that stop, we found a small puppy on the side of the road - no collar, no houses around - and Tracy, the gold star sister adopted it.

We stayed Wednesday night at the house of the parents whose daughter lost her husband, Sgt. Alex Van Aalten, in Afghanistan. He had volunteered to go into a mine field to save a Dutch soldier who had been trapped. Tonight, Kris and I had to catch up on other things, but the team is having dinner with a Gold Star Mother at her house. It has been like this every day. Incredible generosity and heartfelt gratitude have been the watchwords of this trip. Kris and I will have difficulty leaving these wonderful young men and women after we finish the day tomorrow.

Look forward to chatting about the adventure upon returning.”

-Steve Bellona

Day 52, 1st Lt. Jared Landaker

admin — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:50:50 +0000

It was one of the hottest days this summer in TN when Joe & Laura Landaker flew in from Big Bear Lake, CA to run not only Jare’s mile but for the six crew members on the CH-46. The Landaker’s have founded The Seven Stars Foundation to honor all these young service members. Family, friends and ‘new’ friends cheered as they jogged up a killer hill. One woman driving by stopped just to shake Laura’s hand, give her a hug. It was great seeing them after our first meeting out in Big Bear when we were invited into their home for a great dinner.

July 25: A special day

admin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:39:23 +0000

The terrain of the Ozarks greeted the team with the challenge of the winding roads and seemingly endless hills. However, at mile 2453, we were joined by the Holland family who we met with the night before, and helped the team pass the halfway point of the day. They joined us for 4 miles, of which Daniel’s brother, John, was held high the American flag, showing passing cars the red, white, and blue. Part of the team ended their section in Waynesville, MO, and were escorted into town by the local police. A few soldiers from Ft. Leonard Wood and townsfolk met the team in town, and we were given a tour of the Spur Name Tape factory were many of the military branches’ uniform patches and names tags are sewn. (see photo below). We also had a wonderful reception with free lattes and lunch at Caffe Italia, courtesy of the Kneeland family. The cozy setting, live music, and smell of coffee was a great break from the road. Be sure to stop for a mocha! We ended our day with a tour of Ft. Leonard Wood with our liaison Sgt. 1st class Liversedge. Later in the tour, we were joined by Major Migliara and his family. We all enjoyed one another’s company and a few margarita’s over dinner, avoiding the rainstorm outside.

July 24: Bolivar, MO to Camdenton, MO

admin — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:34:37 +0000

As we ran into Bolivar, MO, we had a wonderful greeting by the town and the Beams of Light, an organization who supports our service members in Afghanistan and Iraq through letters, care packages, and donations. Once the team arrived into town, they treated us to the localpizza parlor, Breadeaux. One of their members, Evelyn, joined us for the first mile the next day to send us on our way.

After the run, we settled into our hotel, relaxed, and met up with John Holland and his family who were staying at the same hotel. John’s brother, Daniel, was killed May 18, 2006, and we all would run for his mile 2453 and memory the next day. One of the hotel workers, Rhonda, bought us all dinner, and we shared stories as we ate.

July 23: Cpl. Nyle Yates III

admin — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:59:24 +0000

Our first mile (mile 2317) of day 39 began with a ceremony for Cpl. Nyle Yates III. Many of his family members joined us in reading the 58 names of the service members we were running for that day as well as placing his flag for the beginning of the run. We were greeted with light from above for the special moment.

July 22: Lamar, MO

admin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:51:28 +0000

The run from Parsons, KS to Lamar, MO ended with a wonderful greeting by the Crutcher Family. They invited us into their home for a night to rest our legs, enjoyed a home cooked meal (and breakfast!), and listen to wonderful music from Sydney Crutcher. Below is the Crutcher Family American flag on the side of their garage.

July 21: Parsons, KS

admin — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:33:55 +0000

Today we ran for 64 service members from outside Longton, KS through Independence, KS to Parsons, KS.In Parsons, we met up with coach Dave Greenough and the highschool cross-country team. We ran four miles through town and ended on the east side of Parsons on Main St. The Parsons Police did a fantastic job escorting us through town and we had a nice lunch at the Sirloin Stockade located at 10th and Main. Here’s the Run for the Fallen team with the Parsons High team.Posted yesterday on YouTube was footage of a run organized in conjunction with Run for the Fallen for 1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary. The Cleary’s ran near Mike’s final home in Olivet Cemetery.

Waynoka, OK

admin — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:42:45 +0000

Eric Janes drives the vanagon and BJ Gardiner shoots some footage somewhere near Perryton, TX. View more pics of the run in Perryton, TX.

Today we finished running up to Hopeton, OK and came back and stayed in Waynoka, OK. Wayne LaManyon and Lynn Whipple took us out on the sand dunes in Little Sahara State Park and we had a blast of a time. Unbelievable! Tomorrow we head out to Medford, OK and will stay over in the Best Western in Enid, OK.

Friday we hit Wichita, KS, our eighth state and will pick up a few more members of the team. Shannon Cleary, Rowland Boateng, David Bellona, Patti Janes, Rebecca Janes, and Abbey Saunders. We are very fortunate to be out here and we anticipate many more heartfelt miles, moments, and memories.

Here’s a video of today’s sand dune ride with Lynn.

COP Cleary: New Chapel

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 04:47:30 +0000

There is a newly erected chapel on Combat Outpost Cleary, dedicated in 1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary’s honor. A note from Father Eric Albertson about the new chapel was posted on Mike’s In Remembrance page just a few days ago.

My name is Father Eric Albertson, and I am the Catholic Priest Chaplain assigned to Multi-National Division, Center, Baghdad, at the time of this entry–July 2008. 10th Mountain now has the HQ, but 3rd Infantry had it for 15 months up to 1 June. I travel our area of operations regularly to provide religious support, and thought you might appreciate these two photos I took. One of the patrol base in our area named after your son, and the other of a chapel built on the patrol base across from his Memorial. The Chapel was built by the Georgian Soldiers, and two of their own recent losses hang in a place of honor next to your son. I was in the Anbar Province with 2nd Infantry Division and redeployed a few months before your son was killed. I am deeply sorry for your loss, and please know that I regularly remember the families of our fallen in my daily prayers. It is truly an honor to be a Chaplain for these fine Americans, but like you, I will never fully recover from harsh tragedy of loss and the heavy grief associated with the sacrifice made by so many of them. May these photos remind you that he is not forgotten. Thank you for your son, and for the contribution he made to the men who served with him and for the sacrifice he made for freedom.
Blessings and prayers, Fr. Eric Albertson, Chaplain (Major), US Army

Eric Albertson (Arlington, VA)

Dalhart, TX: July 10

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 04:37:13 +0000

We are on schedule, currently staying at CSS Farms (the Gilley residence) in Dalhart, TX.

Here is the team just a few days ago in Monticello, UT. Our spirits are just as good as ever after entering Texas today.

Thanks to Jon, Michelle, Ian, & Cameron for opening their home to us. We picked potatoes, fed the chickens and goats, and relaxed in the cool Texas evening. We had our first Texas lunch with the Rotary Club in Dalhart and our first dinner (at the Gilley’s) was complete with fresh farm potatoes, tomatoes, and local beef in the sauce. Grand!

We are planning on arriving in Amarillo, TX at 1pm (Friday) at the Veteran’s Hospital. There we will meet the Patriot Riders, Texas America Supports You, and other great organizations from the area. Tomorrow will be a hard day of running, but every step reminds us. Every step reminds us.

Our run Saturday will begin from the Ambassador Hotel in Amarillo approx. 630am. From there we will run up S Georgia St to W Amarillo Blvd, connecting back with Rt. 136 (Fritch Hwy) and the pre-scheduled route on Google and Map My Run.

Thank you to the Gilleys and the town of Dalhart for making our first day/evening in Texas a welcome one.